FIGT Rio Affiliate

FIGT Rio was created as an initiative resulting from Marielle de Spa's participation to FIGT's 2016 conference, and following interest in creating more awareness about FIGT among the expat & international community in Rio de Janeiro. Andrea Saade, a Brazilian national with extensive international exposure enthusiastically joined her project to create and promote FIGT's first South American affiliate.

Upcoming Events

Regular theme-related events and seminars targeting multicultural families as well as the ATCK/TCK community currently based in Rio de Janeiro

Discussion and brainstorming sessions as well as informal social gatherings to promote the exchange between affiliate members

Forums aiming at cross-sharing useful resources and the FIGT's knowledge-base with local affiliate members

The mission of FIGT Rio is to:

promote FIGT across the South American region

raise awareness about shared concerns related to global transitions

address TCK issues and bring resources to globally mobile families currently based in Rio

continue the work of FIGT beyond its annual conference by meeting locally to support and educate professionals who work to improve the lives of families in global transition.

Meet FIGT Rio’s Team:

Marielle de Spa is an entrepreneurial ATCK with a background in global talent management and leadership consulting. Multiple international moves with her TCK children have provided her with comprehensive knowledge of expat life complexities. Her personal experience as an expat mom, wife and adapting professional naturally led her to her current advisory role, providing the right networking channels and key practical resources to Third Culture Families, serial expats and global nomads. Of Belgian origin, Marielle has lived and worked in Mexico, France, Belgium, Canada, Italy, UK, the U.S and is currently in Rio de Janeiro.

Andrea Saade comes from a truly multicultural environment. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro from a Lebanese family and background, she has always been exposed to a multicultural environment. She studied in Switzerland and moved to several countries including, Mexico, Switzerland, France, UK and the Middle East. Andrea graduated in 2001 from the Lausanne Hotel School and she has always been interested by global travel and discovering new cultures. Her research project focused on the impact of a multicultural environment in the hotel business, where people are constantly in contact with different cultures (either guests or colleagues). Currently living in Rio, she would like to bring her personal experiences to the benefit of the new expat families.

If you would like to learn more about FIGT Rio activities or get invited to its events, contact us at rio@figt.org. We look forward to hearing from you!